THE BEGINNING OF UNDERGROUND LIFE(Note: The tunnels and basement businesses referred to are two separate entities --the tunnels being connecting corridors.)

The tunnels of Ellinwood at one time
ran through the entire business district. Initially they seem to have
been elaborate coal chutes, with the coal delivered by horse and wagon
throughout the summer. The covering wooden sidewalks were lifted up and
the coal dumped in and then taken back to the furnaces as needed.

The
gas boom in the early 1930s changed this situation in two ways - first
the buildings were heated with the plentiful and inexpensive natural
gas, and the influx of population brought increased needs for shops and
services. The heavy limestone block basements provided space for the
shops, the tunnels provided communicating links very similar to modern
malls. The connecting tunnels (under the sidewalks) ran the two blocks
of Main on both sides of the street, up the side streets, and are said
to have connected the business district, hotels, and Drummers Sample Room, with the depot, Maennerchor Hall, the mill and brewery. There are
indications that at least one, perhaps two tunnels, went under Main
street to allow the ladies to cross without wading through the mud.

Businesses known to occupy space in the tunnels were Jung's Barber Shop, which in
those days included a public bath, Wolitz Shoe Shop, John Wever's
Sample Room, Petz Meat Storage, and a Drummer's Sample Room under the
Wolf Hotel.

A PLUS TO BE HIDDEN

With the influx of gas workers and the advent of Kansas prohibition,
the tunnels took a colorful turn with a number of activities that
operated more comfortably out of sight of state officials. While these
activities were not publicized in the newspapers of the time, there are
several subtle illusions, as well as many racy stories recounted by the
old-timers.

A PLACE OF REFUGE

The tunnels also provided a safe refuge when
tornadoes were in the area. Possible, but not documented, is the story
that the tunnels were also a refuge during the anti-German hysteria
that swept Kansas during the First World War. Many with German heritage lived in the area.

LIMITED ACCESS

Most of the
tunnel system remained open and in use through the 1930s, but since the
Second World War, separation walls were built to block access from
one building to another.

Then in the summer of 1982, with the building
of new sidewalks on Main street, most of the remaining tunnels were
filled with sand, retained, but blocked. Now, only the tunnels under the
Dick Building, the Wolf Hotel, and the 1883 are open, with those under
the Dick Building the only ones opened regularly for visitors.

OPENED FOR TOURS

Starting
in 1981, Adrianna Dierolf began showing the Tunnels to the public. She
had shown the tunnels to approximately 12,000 people when the property
was sold in 1992 to the Ellinwood Museum Association. Since 1992, an
additional 2,000 people a year have seen the Ellinwood Tunnels. Tour
guides share the history of the underground during appointed tours.

Upon entering the tunnels you will see the
leather harnesses as they were left hanging on the pegs in the harness
shop. Along the tunnel is Jung's Barber Shop with its original
flooring, wallpaper, and barber's mirror. From the barber shop you will
enter the "Bath" room with its bare, but luxurious accommodations of
the time.

Entrance to the tunnel is behind this building. Photo courtesy Robin Proffitt